[shawngibson]

Not at all convinced by either yet, and definitely leaning towards the Harley that I could make look like an XLCR (check your history books) but between a Speed Triple and the XR1200, if your Duck was your pride and joy, what would you pick up milk with/go to Canadian Tire/ride with a passenger on trips (my 1098 is a mono and I'm keeping it that way LOL)?

I don't get the speed triple, I kinda sorta wanna understand the harley though...if for no other reason than pity LMAO...but I'm really drawn to it.

So talk me out of this...

edit: no MotoRetard or MultiStrapon talk, please Great bikes, but not for me...

Shawn

 

[shawngibson]

Yeah I know but it's the only forum I post on with any sense of regularity and 'brotherhood'...

 

[shawngibson]

My brother has a 999s for his sport bike and absolutely LOVES his Buell Ulysses as his multi-mission bike. Modded a nice windscreen, has hard bags and the standard electrical additions and a few other things...oh, and he lives outside Toronto. On this forum he goes by Tiberius fyi.

Just looked it up, and it's not really my thing. I only 'get' 4 types of bikes: sport/racer...cruiser...touring...and 'standard' in the old-school way.

The dirt bike cum touring bikes just don't make sense to me for some reason...though I know people have a blast on them. If I wanna have a blast, that's what the 1098 is for. I need something kinda benign but duty-driven, without the dirt-bike heritage LOL. So BMWs are a no, too LOL...

Maybe a Monster? How are they with a passenger and for a 200-800K trip? Keep in mind, I find my 1098 and every 'crotch rocket' I've every owned very comfortable...I'm a smaller guy and I think that makes a difference.

edit: part of the reason I'm asking is I have already put 1000Km on the 1098 and it's only been a month or so, but I have sunk a lot of money into it so I want it to last...like forever...I fell in love...

 

[shawngibson]

Monsters are great bikes... All be it, a bit wide in the saddle for me. I think the perfect mix is the Hypermotard, but thats not a cruising bike. Umm, have you thought about a used ST? They're wonderful sport-touring bikes and there are many of them around, including ones that arn't so old using that 3 valve motor.

BTW: I'm very picky about my comfort and no Ducati Superbike is even near the comfort level of the more touring bikes out there. My Honda F2 was the most comfortable bike I ever rode, I regret being a Ducati snob and not owning it anymore...

I haven't done a lot outside the sport realm, but I had a Shadow 750 and a Maxim. The Shadow was certainly comfy but it just would not do what I told it to. Or rather sometimes it would, but seconds later.

I saw an ST last week, it caught my eye for sure but again, I just didn't 'get it'...

If the Monster is wide in the saddle I would not probably be good on it (unless it's low, which it doesn't appear to be), I put my nuts into the tank and have short legs...not that you need to know that LOL...

 

[shawngibson]

Well the Harley would be hopeless for 2-up. I do agree that the XR1200 is th eonly Hrley I would conside rbut in reality it is 150lbs too heavy to be worth buying. I'd consider a Street Triple

2-up is critical. Really? Man. I know the seat LOOKs like it's painful but I've had an FZ600 which is probably ten times smaller for the rear seat LOL...and my rides never complained. Maybe they were just being nice.

Is that the issue with the XR? I obviously have a hard on for it, for some reason, don't know why. But it's HUGE, sloppy...I dunno...

edit: is the Concours still around? or better yet, a Euro derivative?

 

[shawngibson]

I love my Monster, its comfortable to me, not very high, but I'm 6,3 so nothing is is high for me. I think the seat height is 32 in or something not sure I have a 01 m900s.

Did 400 miles today rode up through the gila forest in new mexico that shit rocked!!! my first time really going up and down a mountain. 10-25 mph hairpins rock!!

I've taken my monster from Iowa to south padre with no problems other then when the stupid aluminum sprocket exploded that the previous owner had put on. I just strap my duffle bag on the back, but hardbags would be no problem i just think they look ugly.

others on the forum are going to hate me but Otherwise you can't go wrong with a bigger harley for day to day and cruising. You'd have to get one of the bigger full dressers though, I don't think the xr1200 would be good for what you want.

Speed triple is a cool bike, but like the xr1200 i dont think it would be good for what you want it for, you have the 1098 for what the speed triple is meant for you lucky bastard!

Thanks guys. The sheer SIZE of a decker just leaves it out of my league. I'm just under 5'9" and weight 135 pounds LOL.

My friend thinks I'm being daft here wanting another bike especially given the motive, daily driving. She thinks I should get a car. I don't drive, but I just got my license. Her answer: so learn to drive, moron!

I don't think being 40 years old learning to drive a car makes much sense, but then again neither did being 40 years old and buying a Ducati after not riding a bike for 15 years...

I'll go to Rev today and check what's there, maybe a Monster would work. Or maybe my friend's right and I'm just being a loser by not getting a car and learning how to drive, who knows...

Shawn

 

[shawngibson]

Get a nightster, throw on a two-up seat (sissy bar optional, lol), some pipes, and a couple billet doo-dads and you're in business.

I'm thinking of getting one as an around town bike. My buddy has one and it's actually a pretty nice bike. No where near as cumbersome as the big harleys (my dad has a fat bob, kind of annoying around town).

My buddy has been trying to talk me into this, too. There is one that parks where I do all the time. It's definitely gorgeous. I think it's a bit cheaper than the XR and Toronto Harley, right beside my Ducati Dealer, apparently has one.

I'll respond to your PM when I get a chance, you gave a lot of excellent advice so I want to be thoughtful with it rather than just blasting off a quickie response, Matt...